Search

Main Navigation

Main Content

[1-News-Head]

[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

(------------)
[VO-NAT]
It wasn't a shot in the dark, but it did black out power for some Roanoke County residents.
We'll show you how a vandal interfered with AEP service.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
And Governor-elect Warner's New Year's Resolution is to get Virginia's finances back in shape.

[Sports-Head]

[ANCHOR=mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=NONE]

Tonight on News 7 sports, the Dazzle and the Express are wheeling and dealing.
A Roanoke College Maroon is about to get a pat on the back for stealing.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-]
And after falling from the ranks of the unbeaten, UVa looks to get a conference win tonight in Clemson.
Steve Mason has a preview in a moment.
(------------)

[WX-Head]
[ANCHOR=Robin]
[SS=None]

Hoping for a break from below normals temperatures? We have just the forecast for you in the weather segment this evening.
(-------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 4-Shot]

(/////SOT/////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=So what we are looking at here]
((SO WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT HERE IS A PROBLEM THAT JUST DOESN'T GO AWAY.))
[RUNS=:06]
[OUT Q=that just doesn't go away.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]

Governor-Elect Mark Warner says there is no quick recovery from the state's financial crisis.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Today, he made the case for a "top to bottom review" of state government.
(------------)
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Keith and Shannon, the current budget woes are not unique to Virginia. But today, the governor elect said Virginia ranks right up there with the states in the worst shape.
And today, he downplayed any expectations of a quick recovery.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Mark Warner's advisors]
[SUPER=03-Richmond; :00]
[SUPER=01-Mark Warner/Governor-Elect; :32]
[RUNS=:50]
[OUT Q=areas where we can consolidate.]

((Mark Warner's advisors say it's like putting a gallon and a half of commitments into a one gallon jug.
And by their best estimates, the problem is bigger than this budget cycle... It won't be solved by economic recovery alone.
[SOT]
[IN Q=First and foremost]
((FIRST AND FOREMOST, LET US DO NO HARM.))
[RUNS:04]
[OUT Q=do no harm.]

As he sat down with business leaders, Warner called for a freeze on new tax credits, and restrictions on new spending commitments.
He supports the use of the rainy day fund, but will also offer legislation to promote long range financial planning.
And he made the case for a fundamental review of state government.
[SOT 14:31:02]
[IN Q=It's time for us to take a real hard ]
((IT'S TIME FOR US TO TAKE A REAL HARD LOOK... ))
[RUNS:18]
[OUT Q=areas where we can consolidate.]))
(-------------)
[LIVE=JoeD /FULL]
[SUPER=05-Richmond;]

Warner says one candidate for consolidation is the Virginia Parole Board... which continues to operate with five full-time board members even though the state de-emphasized parole several years ago.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith-Shannon & JoeD /Microwave;]

And Warner says a review of state government may show that there are other functions of state government, the commonwealth can no longer afford.

[Rockbridge-Fatality]

A Lexington woman is dead after a morning collision on Interstate 81.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Rockbridge Co.;]

The accident occurred about 6-30 when Frank Zinn of West Virginia lost control of his tractor trailer.
His Southbound truck crashed through a guardrail and crossed the median.
The semi launched into Northbound traffic and landed on Barbara Gordon's car, killing her.
A second truck then hit Zinn's trailer.
Zinn and his father, who was a passenger in the truck, were taken to Stonewall Jackson Hospital in Lexington.
The driver of the second semi was not injured.
Police charged Zinn with reckless driving.
Northbound traffic is now moving again at exit 202 near Raphine.
(------------)

[Power-Outage]

American Electric Power wants to know who vandalized some of its equipment this morning.
(------------)
[VO-NAT :24]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke Co.;]
Two gunshots to this power box at the corner of Cotton Hill and Shingle Ridge Roads in Roanoke County interrupted service to about 750-customers at about 10:50 this morning.
AEP restored power to most of those customers within an hour by switching power to a backup line.
All customers were back on line by 4 this afternoon.
The company says dealing with vandalism is a headache workers don't need this time of year.
(///// SOT at :24 /////)
[SOT 3:37:29-3:37:41]
[IN Q=It's very frustrating when our crews work...]
((TODD BURNS/AEP SPOKESMAN: IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING WHEN OUR CREWS WORK AS HARD AS THEY CAN TO TRY TO DEAL WITH THE ELEMENTS THAT CAN INTERRUPT SERVICE BUT, TO HAVE VANDALISM THAT CAN INTERRUPT SERVICE IS JUST QUITE DISTURBING.))
[SUPER=01-Todd Burns/AEP Spokesman;]
[RUNS=:12]
[OUT Q=is just quite disturbing...]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
If you have any information about the vandalism you can call AEP or Roanoke County Police.
(------------)

[School-Info]

Some schools are still dealing with the effects of last weekend's storm.
(XXXXXXXX)

Grayson County has cancelled all classes for tomorrow and rescheduled exams for January 14th and 15th.
Pittsylvania County will operate on a two-hour delay tomorrow.
As will Tazewell County schools.
(-------------)

[Henry-Schools]

A group of Henry County citizens had to go all the way to Richmond to find a lawyer that would take its case against the school board.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Henry Co.;]

The group's spokesman says it's 39-hundred dollars short of the 5-thousand it needs to hire the law firm.
Citizens Campaign for a Better Plan is seeking an injunction to stop the school board from closing three elementary schools and converting two high schools to middle schools.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 11:10:36 - :44]
[IN Q=We feel that]
((REV. TYLER MILLNER/CONSOLIDATION OPPONENT: WE FEEL THAT IT WAS DECEPTIVE TO NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THIS AND THEN AFTER THE ELECTION BRING IT UP.))
[SUPER=01-Rev. Tyler Millner/Consolidation Opponent;]
[RUNS=:08]
[OUT Q=bring it up.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The school board said it had to act quickly to soften the blow of a 2-million dollar budget deficit.
Reverend Millner is trying to have the Superintendents removed.
He urges all concerned citizens to appear at public meetings.
(------------)

[CPF-Goode]

Job security couldn't be better for a safety and security company in Henry County.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Fieldale]

C-P Films has partnered with DuPont to create a mylar film that prevents windows from shattering.
The growing safety and security market since the September 11th attacks sparked the idea for the partnership.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=When 9-11 occured]
((HENRY VOIGT/DUPONT TEIGIN FILMS: WHEN 9-11 OCCURRED IT BECAME APPARENT THAT COMPANIES INVOLVED IN THE SAFETY AND SECURITY ISSUES HAD TO WORK TOGETHER IN A DIFFERENT WAY.))
[SUPER=01-Henry Voigt/DuPont Teigin Films]
[RUNS=09]
[OUT Q=different way.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

C-P film is already used on the windows of 80 embassies around the world.
The new mylar addition, courtesy of DuPont, will heighten its efficiency.
The companies asked Congressman Virgil Goode today to spread the word about the new product, AND about Southside.
(/////////SOT/////////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=I'd go back to]
((KEN VICKERS/CPFILMS: I'D GO BACK TO THE CAPITAL AND TELL THOSE GUYS, AND PEOPLE ARE COMING IN FROM RICHMOND TOMORROW FOR THE SAME PURPOSE, WE ARE CAPABLE OF HANDLING VERY HIGH-TECH STUFF AROUND THIS AREA, NOW.))
[SUPER=01-Ken Vickers/CPFilms]
[RUNS=10]
[OUT Q=this area, now.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

CP-Films employs 500 people in Henry County.
The company hopes this partnership will lead to an expansion.
(-----------)

[Tease#1]
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
[SS=NONE]

Here today... in Richmond tomorrow.
That's the story behind today's special House of Delegates Election on the eve of the General Assembly session.
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

And cops in the New River Valley spend the morning in a tense standoff.
(----------------)

The General Assembly heads back into session tomorrow and today there's still one seat up for grabs.
[ANCHOR=Keith 2-Shot]
A special election is being held for the 12th District which includes voters from Blacksburg to Bath County.
[ANCHOR=Keith]
[SS=Election 2002]
The seat opened up when Democrat Creigh Deeds left the post to run for and win the late Emily Couric's State Senate position.
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Rachel /Microwave;]
New River Valley Bureau Chief Rachel Cannon joins us with more on the candidates vying for the 12th on the final day of campaigning...Rachel?
[LIVE=Rachel /FULL]
[SUPER=@Rachel1;]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
Keith it's been one of the shortest campaigns in recent memory.
Republican Larry Linkous and Democrat Jim Shuler have had less than 3-weeks to reach voters.
But by the looks of turnout - it seems they've done their job well.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nats]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg; :00]
[SUPER=01-Jim Shuler/(D) 12th District Delegate Candidate; :17]
[SUPER=01-Carlene Woolwine/Officer of Elections; :31 QUICK]
[SUPER=01-Larry Linkous/(R) 12th District Delegate Candidate; :54]
[RUNS=1:20]
[OUT Q=CERTIFIED IN THE MORNING.]
((Nats TC 3:09:12
Democrat Jim Shuler worked the 12th District polls all day but only cast his vote this afternoon in Blacksburg.
It's the region he represented for 8-years as Delegate before redistricting.
The retired veterinarian says the past few weeks have been quote "rather rapid."
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:10:02]
[IN Q=about 5:30 ]
((JIM SHULER/(D) 12TH DISTRICT DELEGATE CANDIDATE; ABOUT 5:30 THIS MORNING VISITED MOST ALL THE PRECINCTS I COULD UP THERE VISITING WITH PEOPLE MAKING SURE WE GOT THE VOTE OUT.))
[OUT Q=THE VOTE OUT.]
Something voting numbers show they've been successful in doing.
Shuler is estimating 30-percent turn out in some precincts.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:04:19]
[IN Q=WE HAD A]
((CARLENE WOOLWINE/OFFICER OF ELECTIONS; WE HAD A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN IT WAS PRETTY BUSY BUT ITS BEEN STEADY ALL DAY LONG.))
[OUT Q=DAY LONG.]
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:10:56]
[IN Q=its the third]
((IT'S THE THIRD VOTE FOR SOME PEOPLE IN THESE PARTS OF THIS REDRAWN 12TH DISTRICT TO TAKE, VOTED IN NOVEMBER THEN THE CREIGH DEEDS ELECTION TO THE SENATE AND NOW FOR THE HOUSE SEAT.))
[OUT Q=THE HOUSE SEAT.]
Larry Linkous knows an election win for the Republicans would be the result of overcoming an uphill battle.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:00:54]
[IN Q=WE WANT]
((LARRY LINKOUS/(R) 12TH DISTRICT DELEGATE CANDIDATE; WE WANT TURNOUT TO BE GOOD AT PRECINCTS WE FEEL LIKE WE'VE GOT SUPPORT IN YOU KNOW NORMALLY BLACKSBURG VOTES MORE DEMOCRATIC AND SO I GUESS WHAT WERE HOPING IS FOR LESS TURNOUT THERE.))
[OUT Q=turnout there.]
The former chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors and business owner wants to develop the economy and create jobs.
Whoever represents the 12th, they need to be ready.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 3:01:22]
[IN Q=AS SOON AS ]
((AS SOON AS THE VOTES ARE COUNTED TONIGHT THEY'LL GO TO LOCAL REGISTRARS TALLY THERE AND THEN WILL BE SHIPPED BY STATE POLICE TO RICHMOND SO THEY CAN BE CERTIFIED IN THE MORNING.))
[OUT Q=IN THE MORNING.]))
(-------------)
[LIVE=Rachel /FULL]
[SUPER=05-Blacksburg;]
The quick certification allows the 12th District's Delegate-Elect to go straight into session tomorrow with the rest of the General Assembly.
We will bring you updated election returns tonight at the bottom of your screen.
(+++++++)
[Take Web Page FS]
And you can get the latest numbers at any time by going to our home page at WDBJ7-dot-com.
(------------)
[DOUBLE BOXES=Keith & Rachel/Microwave;]
And of course we'll have a complete wrap-up tonight on News 7 at 11.

[Pulaski-Standoff]

A Pulaski man is in police custody this evening after a standoff at his home today.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski;]
William Reinhardt barricaded himself inside his house on Madison Street when police tried to arrest him for failing to pay child support.
Officials say when he saw the officers he shoved a woman out the back door and hid in the basement.
Pulaski Police called in their tactical team, which successfully arrested Reinhardt with a minor struggle.
The suspect was not armed and no one was injured.
Officials say he may face assault charges for shoving the female out of the house.
(------------)

[Webster]

A Roanoke woman claims that Franklin County's public safety director threatened her with a gun at a Wendy's drive thru, but he says that's not what happened.
Anita Peggins filed a criminal complaint with the City of Roanoke, accusing Claude Webster of brandishing a weapon after an argument outside the fast food restaurant.
Webster says he never left his car OR showed the weapon.
He says that when Peggins approached him, yelling, he just warned her that he had one.

[Moonshine]

[ANCHOR=Keith]
[NEWSCAST=6]
[WRITER=khu]
[TAPE#=02-01 TC03:57]
[GRAPHIC=Moonshine]
Six more moonshiners were sentenced today in federal court, but only one of them got prison time.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]
Autrey Cooper has a history of making moonshine with convictions in 1986 and 1990. Because the government says he has "yet to learn his lesson," the prosecutor asked for a prison sentence. Cooper will serve 20 months in minimum security.
Cooper was a still hand at a huge indoor still in Craig County. When they finally shut down this operation, authorities said these black pots had produced 7 million dollars worth of "white lightening."
Those who set it up won't be sentenced until Thursday. Barbara Hale and Shirley Whitlow were both placed on home detention today for four months, because they lied about their connection to the property.
(------------)

Every month, 850 prison inmates are released back into society.
[ANCHOR=Shannon 2-Shot]

Statistics show that within three months, forty percent of those ex-offenders will commit new crimes and be sent back to jail.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Lynchburg]

Reversing the so-called "jail trail" is the goal of the "Restoration Jubilee" initiative in Lynchburg.
Today organizers announced a major deal with the state Department of Corrections that will allow instructors and mentors to go inside Virginia's 30 prisons and work with inmates who are about to be paroled.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 16:45:30]
[IN Q=I believe that]
((WAYNE WATKINS/PRISON FELLOWSHIP: I BELIEVE THAT THE DIRECTOR, RON ANGELONE, HAS BROKEN NEW GROUND AND THIS WAS A MAJOR EFFORT. THEY'VE TAKEN A MAJOR STEP TO GIVE MEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THEIR LIVES.))
((REV. JAMES COLEMAN/RESTORATION JUBILEE: IT'S TIME NOW, WE HAVE TO DO REAL MINISTRY IN THE 21ST CENTURY AND THAT MEANS TO MOVE BEYOND THE FOUR WALLS OF THE CHURCH AND TO BECOME ACTIVE IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE AND BUILDING THEIR INTERIOR SO THAT THE EXTERIOR CAN BE BETTER.))
[SUPER=01-Wayne Watkins/Prison Fellowship; :00]
[SUPER=01-Rev. James Coleman/Restoration Jubilee; :16]
[RUNS=28]
[OUT Q=can be better.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Mentors will be recruited from area churches.
They hope to start the program this June.
(------------)

[Sports Tease]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=]
Coming up tonight on the Big 7 - the Express and Dazzle are making personnel moves.
UVa and VMI have big games tonight.
And a Roanoke College Maroon is on the verge of a record setting performance.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
Plus, the shortstop who used to flip out on the carpet - looks to land on his feet in the baseball hall of fame.
(------------)

[S-Express]

The Roanoke Express and the Pensacola Ice Pilots pulled off a four player trade today. Roanoke has acquired defensemen Mike Lankshear (lank-sheer) and Remi Royer along with left wing Mike Keisman (keys-man).
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

In exchange for those three players, the Express sends defenseman Jeff Sproat. Sproat worked for a marketing firm before coming out of retirement. He rejoined the Express for his first game back October 26th. Sproat played 33 games, had 10 goals and 13 assists and was a minus 4.
(------------)
[anchor=mike]
[graphic=express]

Lankshear and Keisman report to Roanoke tomorrow while Royer will join the Express after his call up to the AHL Providence Bruins is over.

[S-Dazzle]

[ANCHOR=Mike]
[NEWSCAST=6pm]
[WRITER=mst]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=DAZZLE]

The Roanoke Dazzle is on the road tonight opening up a three game road trip that will take the team from Mobile to Huntsville to Fayetteville.
The team picked up a new player tonight in omm'A (OH-mah) Givens. The six foot eleven inch center was a freshman at UCLA when the Bruins won the national title in 1995.
His first game with the team will be Friday night in Huntsville.

((The fantastic four they are not...yet. Four UVa freshman came off the bench against N.C. State and in 41 minutes, they scored 5 points.
((CHRIS WILLIAMS/UVA FORWARD:))
They were contributing about 20 points a game until they ran into the more physical style of ACC play exemplified by the Wolfpack.
((:))
The Wahoos lead the ACC in three point percentage at nearly 39 percent. But double duty as shooter and point guard exhausts Roger Mason. Help lowering the Cavaliers conference leading 17.5 turnovers a game is needed.))
((:))
((:))

[S-VMI]

The VMI basketball team is in action tonight at Cameron Hall in a seven o'clock tip-off against UNC Greensboro. The Keydets will be looking to snap a three game losing skid. We will have highlights for you tonight on News 7 at 11.

[S-Steals]

The 7 and 4 Roanoke College Maroons are riding a four game win streak as they get deeper into their ODAC schedule. One major key is point guard Jaimar Mansel.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke; :00]

Mansel has a shot at breaking the Roanoke all time single season steals record set by Donny Morris during the 1982-83 season.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q="]
[SUPER=01-Jaimar Mansel/38 Steals This Season; :00]
[SUPER=01-Page Moir/Roanoke College Men's Basketball Coach; :13]
[RUNS=:24]
[OUT Q=......defensive guard"]
(---------------)
[ANCHOR=mike]
[GRAPHIC=ODAC]

Roanoke next plays ODAC rival Guilford tomorrow night and then returns home to meet Hampden-Sydney this Saturday. The 10 and OH Tigers have moved up in the Division III polls to second in the country.

[S-Oz]

Only one player is heading into the baseball hall of fame this year.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-St. Louis, MO/CNN-SI; :00]
Ozzie Smith, the back-flipping shortstop from the St. Louis Cardinals was named on nearly 92 percent of the ballots today, just 75 percent is needed for induction.
That makes him only the 37th player in history to make the hall on a first ballot.
He won 13 gold gloves in his career.
(------------)